Death at the Chateau Bremont: A Verlaque and Bonnet Mystery

When filmmaker %C3%89tienne de Bremont takes a fatal fall out of a window of his Aix-en-Province chateau at the start of Longworth's disappointing debut, his lawyer cousins, Charles and Eric Brey, ask for an inquest, despite the conviction of %C3%89tienne's widow, Isabelle, that it was an accident. Antoine Verlaque, the examining magistrate, enlists his former lover, law professor Marine Bonnet, in the investigation, as Marine was a childhood friend of %C3%89tienne and his younger brother, the gambler and polo player Fran%C3%A7ois, and is acquainted with the family, staff, and their circle. Soon Fran%C3%A7ois turns up dead, a cache of documents goes missing, and shady dealings involving the brothers come to light. Despite the appeal of the intelligent Marine and her refreshingly opinionated friend, Sylvie, the arrogant Verlaque, contrived plot elements clumsily introduced, contradictory descriptions, and a talky conclusion that fails to use the process of detection will irritate the seasoned mystery reader. (July)